ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Finance Commission
Meeting of the 15th Finance Commission with the Reserve Bank of India
The 15th Finance Commission headed by Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh today held a detailed meeting with the Governor and Deputy Governors of RBI in Mumbai today.
Key issues raised by RBI Governor, Shri Shaktikanta Das and Finance Commission Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh were discussed in detail at the meeting. These issues included the following:–
· The necessity of setting up State Finance Commissions for respective State Governments.
· Public Sector Borrowing Requirements.
· Continuity of the Finance Commission. It was felt that this was required more in view of the fiscal management requirements of the States, especially given the absence of mid-term reviews of Awards granted by the Finance Commission, as it used to happen earlier with the Awards granted by the Planning Commission.
· Need for Expenditure Codes, especially given that expenditure norms vary from state to state.
· Role of States in Growth and Inflation, for instance, role of states in Ease of doing Business.
The RBI made a detailed presentation to the Finance Commission, on State Government Finances for 2019-20. The key takeaways are:
· The importance of states in the economy has increased with the shift in composition of government finances.
· Fiscal deficit of states is budgeted to be lower in 2019-20 BE, but RE and actuals deviate significantly .
· Specific factors drive fiscal slippages: these factors include UDAY in the past and farm loan waivers and income support schemes in 2018-19 RE.
· Outstanding debt as percentage of GDP rising despite moderation in interest payment as percentage of revenue receipts.
The RBI made another presentation on the issues and challenges of the market borrowings of state governments. The main issues raised in this presentation were the following:
· Increasing orientation of state governments borrowing to markets.
· Improving secondary market liquidity – re-issuances, non-standard issuances, widening investor base.
· Risk Asymmetry- Phasing out of ADM, rating of SDLs, valuation of SDLs, more frequent disclosures.
· Strengthening the corpus of CSF/GRF – incentive for increasing the corpus, indicative target of 5% of outstanding liabilities/ guarantees by all states.
· Cash Management – States to improve their cash forecasting capabilities, states’ request to consider avenues for short term borrowings.
· Disclosures – Disclosure of high frequency data; budget presentations and release of financial data may be in a) common format b) within narrow time frame.
· Contingent liabilities – lack of reliable data, hence there is a need for standardization in compilation and reporting under FRBM and to enforce uniform ceiling for issue of guarantees.
During its two-day visit to Mumbai, the Finance Commission is slated to have meetings with banks, financial institutions and economists as well.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Draft Guidelines for Operationalisation of Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferry service
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is promoting the Ro Ro/RoPax transportation. Such water-based transportation service is an effective measure to lower the logistics costs, reducing travel time, reduce traffic congestion on road/railways, reduce noise pollution and promotion of coastal shipping on several feasible routes. The “Guidelines for Operationalization of Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax ferry service along the coast of India” seeks to homogenize and streamline the development and operations of ferry services, along with, promoting ease of doing business by eliminating unnecessary delays, disagreements and introducing digital interventions at customer interface.
In view of immense potential and distinct advantages of ferry service, Ministry is financially supporting 45 projects with total project cost of Rs. 1900 Crore. Under the ambit of Sagarmala, Ministry has operationalized Ro-Pax Ferry service between Ghogha - Hazira in Gujarat and Mumbai - Mandwa in Maharashtra. These services have transported more than 7 lakh passenger and 1.5 lakh vehicles, contributing towards clean environment and public welfare. Keeping in view the potential, additional projects are planned at Pipavav and Muldwarka in Gujarat and Ghodbunder, Veldur, Vasai, Kashid, Rewas, Manori and JN Port etc. in Maharashtra. In addition to above, Ministry is supporting 4 projects in Andhra Pradesh, 2 projects in Odisha and 1 each in Tamil Nadu and Goa.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes Dr. Farooq Abdullah ‘speedy recovery’ from Covid-19
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to Dr. Farooq Abdullah Ji for a speedy recovery from Covid-19.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Praying for the good health and speedy recovery of Dr. Farooq Abdullah Ji.
Also praying for your and the entire family’s good health @OmarAbdullah."
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches at various locations in Uttar Pradesh
The Income Tax Department started a search and survey action on 18/11/2020 in the case of a leading cattle feed producer in Northern India. The search and survey actions are being carried out at 16 locations in Kanpur, Gorakhpur, Noida, Delhi and Ludhiana.
The main allegations against the group are that it has taken accommodation entries of more than Rs. 100 crore in the form of non-genuine unsecured loans from certain Delhi-based shell companies; unusually high sundry creditors; suppression of net profit; and also that a related group chit fund company had received unsecured loans of several crore from unknown sources.
During the course of search action, it has been established that the shell companies from which loans had been taken exist only on paper and have no real business and creditworthiness. Directors of these shell companies are dummy, non-filers and individuals of no means. One of the Directors of these companies has been found to be a taxi driver, having 11 bank accounts, showing huge routing of funds. Therefore, it has been established that the accommodation entries of more than Rs.121 crore in the form of unsecured loans from these shell companies are bogus and actually represent the unaccounted income of the group.
It has been further gathered during the search that one of these shell companies is a chit subscriber in the group’s chit fund concern, which is a violation of the provisions of the Chit Funds Act, 1982.
Search has revealed huge unaccounted investment in the construction of the residences of the main persons of the group. The same is under verification and will be referred for valuation.
Till now gold and diamond jewellery to the tune of Rs. 52 lakh has been seized. The sources of acquisition of the remaining jewellery are being verified. The source of total cash found amounting to Rs. 1.30 crore is being further verified. A total of 7 lockers have been found, which are yet to be operated.
Further investigations are going on.
Ministry of Defence
44 Evacuees Return Home from Naval Quarantine Camp at Ghatkopar Mumbai
The Indian Navy Quarantine Facility at Material Organisation, Ghatkopar, Mumbai has silently and successfully completed the task of quarantining 44 evacuees  from Iran. In all, the 44 individuals spent 30 days in the facility commencing 13 Mar 20, ending with each testing negative for COVID-19 on 28 Mar.
A dedicated team of medical staff from the Navy worked tirelessly to monitor the health of the evacuees. They were supported by a team of conservancy personnel and other staff to take care of the cleanliness of the facility, their comfort and well being. The meals provided were prepared under strict supervision and customised to meet any special requirements.
The quarantine facility also catered for amenities to keep the evacuees occupied and comfortable, these included a library, TV room, indoor games, a small gymnasium and limited cricket gear
The nationwide lockdown with limited availability of stores posed additional challenges that were overcome by innovation and resolve. Further, the evacuees' stay was extended as they had no means of travelling to their homes in Srinagar and Ladakh. Consequently arrangements were made to airlift them using IAF aircraft and on 12 Apr 20, a C-130 aircraft has flown these individuals back to Srinagar. For the return journey, each evacuee was given packed food, refreshments and two hand stitched masks, courtesy NWWA Ghatkopar.
The Indian Navy is committed to assist the national effort in the fight against COVID-19 and stands ready to aid the citizens of India and the civil administration in every manner possible.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre exhorts Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to focus on breaking the Chain of Transmission and keeping the Mortality below 1%
The Health Ministry has been regularly engaging with States and UTs that have been exhibiting either a sudden surge in COVID cases, high caseload or reporting a higher mortality in some districts.
The Centre today exhorted the States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to focus on undertaking aggressive measures to break the chain of transmission and to ensure that the mortality is kept below 1%. The States have been advised to proactively ensure higher testing, effective clinical management to lower fatality and save lives along with efficient monitoring at various levels.
Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka account for about 46% of active cases reported nationally in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra alone accounts for 22% of all active cases reported in the last 24 hours.
Similarly these three states account for 52% of all COVID deaths reported across the country in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra alone accounted for 35% of all deaths reported in the last 24 hours.
The Union Home Ministry also highlighted the districts of concern in each State. In Maharashtra, Pune, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Raigad, Jalgaon, Solapur, Satara and Palghar were highlighted and need for effective containment and contact tracing was emphasized.
In Andhra Pradesh, Prakasam and Chittoor were highlighted as districts of concern and the need for daily monitoring of facility wise deaths, strengthening of hospital facilities, increasing the number of ICUs, oxygen beds and efficient clinical management were focused upon.
In Karnataka, the highlighted districts of Koppal, Mysuru, Davangere and Bellari were advised to optimally utilize RT-PCR testing facilities, to strengthen their door to door active case search and to protect their healthcare workers.
In cumulative terms, five States account for more than 60% of the total active cases in the country. Maharashtra contributes maximum to the active case load amounting to almost 25%, followed by Andhra Pradesh , Karnataka , Uttar Pradesh  and Tamil Nadu which stands at 6.10%.
Of these, three States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka account for nearly 49% of the Active Cases and more than 57% of COVID deaths.
Of the total deaths in the country, 70% are recorded in just five States of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra alone accounts for 37.33% of the total deaths.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Special App launched to enhance athlete experience at KIYG 2022; medal tally, schedules, venues at the click of a mouse; Chatbot set up to resolve athlete queries
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has launched a special mobile application for the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 to ensure that participating athletes, coaches, support staff, parents of athletes and officials from all states participating in the Games have access to all information about the Games, on a click of a button. This is the first time that a dedicated App has been launched for the Khelo India Youth Games.
The App has a dedicated athlete login and supports the athlete right from the time of his or her registration into the games, through the entire course of the Games. The app gives the athlete a chance to check if his or her verified documents have been uploaded, before the start of the Games. This will ensure greater transparency for athletes in the registration process.
As he or she registers for the games and arrives at the Games venues in Madhya Pradesh, the athlete can check the status of the issuance of their sporting kits, the hotel in which the athlete has to stay, transportation plan for athletes to and from the venue, as well as have important contact numbers where athletes can connect in case of an emergency. Further, to ensure that athletes have immediate responses to query raised by them during the Games, a Whatsapp Chatbot has also been created.
For sports fans, the App gives access to match schedules, medal tally, address of Games venues and photo gallery.
The App is available both for Android and Apple phones and can be downloaded free of cost.
App Download Links:
Playstore :
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sportsauthorityofindia.kheloindiagames
App store :
https://apps.apple.com/in/app/khelo-india-games/id1665110083
WhatsApp Chatbot:
https://wa.me/919667303515?text=Hi%21
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Status of Avian Influenza in the country
After confirmation of Avian Influenza positive samples from ICAR-NIHSAD in poultry  of Panchkula district, Haryana and reporting of positive samples in migratory birds in Junagadh district, Gujarat and in crows in Sawai Madhopur, Pali, Jaisalmer and Mohar districts of Rajasthan, the Department has suggested the affected States to contain the disease as per Action Plan on Avian Influenza. So far, the disease has been confirmed from six states . It is learnt that culling operations have been completed in both the affected districts of Kerala. The disinfection process is underway.
States that are still unaffected by AI have been requested to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds and to report immediately so that necessary measures are taken in the fastest possible time.
Central teams have been deployed to visit the affected states of Kerala, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh for monitoring and for epidemiological investigation.
Unusual mortality of 16 birds has also been reported in DDA park Hastsal Village, Delhi. The AH Department of NCT of Delhi, has reportedly taken precautionary measures and sent samples to ICAR-NIHSAD and test report is awaited
Awareness among poultry farmers and general public  about the disease is of foremost importance. Communication from Secretary  has also been sent to Health Ministry to restore consumer confidence in consumption of chicken and eggs. Appropriate advisories have been requested to be issued from the Health Ministry in this regard so that consumer confidence affected by rumors is put to rest. Also, states have been requested to increase awareness regarding safety of poultry or poultry products that were safe for consumption following boiling / cooking procedures for which central support would be available.
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
56.06 Cr. vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
India reports 35,178 new cases in last 24 hours
Active cases constitute 1.14% of total cases; lowest since March 2020
India's Active caseload currently 3,67,415; lowest in 148 days
Recovery Rate currently at 97.52%; Highest since March 2020
3,14,85,923 total recoveries across the country so far
37,169 patients recovered during last 24 hours
Weekly Positivity Rate currently at 1.95%; less than 3% for last 54 days
Daily positivity rate at 1.96%; less than 3% for last 23 days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 49.84 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Pune
Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 17.02.2021 on a group based in Sangamner, Pune at 34 different locations across Maharashtra. The group entities are largely engaged in packaging and sale of tobacco and related products, generation and distribution of power, sale of FMCGs, and real estate development.
During the course of the search operation, hand written and excel sheets maintained on computer revealed unrecorded cash sale transactions amounting to Rs. 243 crore related to sale of tobacco. In addition to this, action on some dealers in tobacco products revealed further unrecorded sale by them amounting to Rs. 40 crore approximately.
The group is also accepting and paying cash over and above the registration value in transactions relating to real estate. Evidence of transactions amounting to Rs. 18 crore was found in this regard. Issues relating to violations of section 50C of the Income-tax Act, 1961 amounting to Rs. 23 crore have also been found.
During the course of the search operation, profit on unrecorded transactions of sale of real estate amounting to Rs. 9 crore has been accepted by the assessee. Seizure of unaccounted cash of Rs. 1 crore has been made. Total undisclosed income amounting to Rs. 335 crore has been detected so far.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
ACC approval
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of the term of appointment of Shri Sanjay Kothari, lAS   as Secretary to the President, on co-terminus basis with the President or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Ministry of Culture
BITM Hosts Exhibition on “75 Years of Independence: India’s Achievements in Science and Technology”
Kolkata, February 23, 2022
National Council of Science Museums  the parent body of Birla Industrial & Technological Museum , in collaboration with the Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, is organizing a nation-wide exhibition “75 Years of Independence: India’s Achievements in Science & Technology” as a part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, in 75 locations of the country.
BITM is hosting the exhibition in Kolkata and it was inaugurated by Professor Sumantra Bose, Director of Netaji Research Bureau, Kolkata, in the presence of Shri V. S. Ramachandran Director BITM and other dignitaries, today (February 23, 2022 at BITM premises itself.
The exhibition is an absorbing journey of seven & a half decades of science and technology in independent India, with special emphasis on indigenous development and a march towards self-reliance. The aim is to create a scientific awareness in the society and inculcate a sense of national pride amongst the young generation, specially, in the students’ community.
The exhibition comprises 13 sections. They are 1. India’s Scientific Heritage, 2. Heavy Industry, Chemical Industry, 3. Nuclear Power Capability, 4. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 5. Space Technology, 6. Information Technology, 7. COVID Vaccination, 8. Biotechnology, 9. Oceanography, 10. Transport, 11. Climate Change, 12. Human Resource in S&T and 13. Milestones.
The exhibition will continue till March 22, 2022 daily from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm .
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Varanasi, Kanpur and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh on 8th March 2019. He will unveil multiple development projects for the state.
At Varanasi
The Prime Minister will visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple at Varanasi. He will lay the foundation stone of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple approach Road, Beautification & Strengthening Project. Later PM will inspect the project site.
PM will attend National Women Livelihood Meet – 2019 at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul in Varanasi. He will distribute appreciation letters to five Women Self Help Groups. Members of the Women Self Help Groups will also share their experiences with Prime Minister.
PM will distribute Electric Chaak, Solar Charkha and Honey Warp and Cheque to beneficiaries.
Women SHGs aided by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - NRLM, Uttar Pradesh will hand over a cheque to the Prime Minister for contribution in 'Bharat Ke Veer' Fund.
PM will also address a public gathering
At Kanpur
PM will unveil the Panki Power Plant, establishment of new 660 megawatt electricity generation and distribution unit. PM will inaugurate Lucknow Metro Rail Project. He will also Flag-off Metro Rail from Ch. Charan Singh Airport Station, Lucknow through video link. PM will lay foundation stone for Agra Metro Rail Project.
PM will distribute keys to beneficiaries of PMAY.
Later, PM will also address a gathering on this occasion.
At Ghaziabad
PM will inaugurate Dilshad Garden - Shaheed Sthal  Section of Metro. He will flag-off the Metro Rail from Shaheed Sthal Metro Station. This elevated metro corridor section will have 8 stations. It will provide convenient mode of transport for people in Ghaziabad and New Delhi and will ease the traffic congestion.
PM will inaugurate the Hindon Airport Civil Terminal at Hindon Airport Civil Terminal, Ghaziabad. Passengers from Western Uttar Pradesh and NCR region will be benefit from the operation of domestic flights from this new civil airport terminal at Hindon.
PM will lay foundation stone of Delhi - Ghaziabad - Meerut RRTS. This is one of the first, high speed and high frequency rail based Regional Rapid Transit System  project. It will greatly improve the regional transport facility and create many employment opportunities.
The Prime Minister will also unveil various development Projects for education, housing, drinking water, sanitation and sewerage management in Ghaziabad.
He will distribute certificates to beneficiaries of various schemes.
Later, he will address a public gathering.